Dubbelloops vuursteendraailooppistool 1680 - 1685

Editor: This is the "Double-Barreled Flintlock Revolving Rifle" crafted between 1680 and 1685 by Jan van [I] Solingen, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It is quite long, mostly wood and metal, but its delicate appearance surprises me for something intended as a weapon. What’s your perspective on it? Curator: Well, first of all, let's contextualize the violence embedded in it; this isn't simply a functional object. In this historical context, firearms embody the rise of centralized power and the tools of colonization. They are implements of control used against marginalized groups and Indigenous populations. Doesn't this change your perception? Editor: I suppose so. It forces me to reflect on the historical backdrop of possession, conflict, and dominance of some over others. Curator: Exactly. The baroque ornamentation often seen in weapons, like this one, isn't mere aesthetic flourish, it's performative! Displaying wealth and asserting status in a society structured around violence. Does this ornate design speak to an intended audience for this weapon? Editor: Perhaps a privileged class, certainly not a tool meant for widespread distribution? Curator: Precisely. We have to ask: who benefits from such technology? What social hierarchies does it solidify and perpetuate? We can't appreciate art like this outside of its embedded inequities. Editor: I've definitely learned the necessity of critically evaluating these kinds of artworks, situating it within the socio-political landscape, so we get a broader understanding of power structures! Curator: Glad to have prompted a perspective shift in understanding our world.